Public Use Policy for Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance Lands
We are excited to welcome you to visit the many permanently protected lands stewarded by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance! Habitat protection and restoration is a key part of our mission to conserve habitat for birds and other native species. Permitted and prohibited uses at these properties, in addition to information about access and access restrictions, are outlined below. Please contact us at info@swibirds.org if you have any questions or need additional clarification.
Permitted uses
Visitors are invited to explore and enjoy nature through birding and other wildlife watching, hiking, photography, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Visitors are also encouraged to participate in volunteer activities happening throughout the year that help us care for the land.
Research activities and group educational uses are encouraged on these properties, but require permission in advance to ensure protection of the resource. Please contact the appropriate sanctuary managers.
Prohibited uses
Activities with the potential to disturb wildlife are prohibited. This includes (but is not limited to) biking, using ATVs/UTVs/snowmobiles, flying drones, camping or staying overnight, lighting campfires or bonfires, geocaching, target-shooting, foraging, and collecting specimens, which can all damage habitats and upset the balance of delicate ecosystems.
Pets are not allowed on these properties with the exception of working service dogs, which must remain leashed.
Hunting and trapping are also prohibited, with the following exceptions:
Hillside Prairie:
As a requirement of receiving Knowles Nelson Stewardship funds to help purchase the land, this property is open to public hunting during regulated Wisconsin DNR seasons (hunting dogs are permitted during applicable seasons).
Please use non-toxic ammunition to limit the dangerous environmental effects of lead.
Erstad Prairie:
As part of an agreement with the Wisconsin DNR, hunting and trapping is permitted on this property. Hunting dogs are permitted during applicable seasons.
Please use non-toxic ammunition to limit the dangerous environmental effects of lead.
Fair Meadows, Faville Grove, Goose Pond: hunting at these properties may occur as needed to manage deer populations and prevent damage to habitats. Sanctuary managers may grant permission on a case-by-case basis, often to volunteers who assist with sanctuary management projects throughout the year. Only non-toxic ammunition may be used.
Access restrictions and limitations for SoWBA lands
Though the vast majority of sanctuary lands are open for exploration, please note the following exceptions.
public access is prohibited at all times in the following locations:
Any temporarily leased agricultural lands in row crops (e.g. corn, soybean) or livestock.
At the pond of Goose Pond Sanctuary to prevent disturbance to waterfowl. The closed area is bounded on the east by Goose Pond Road, on the north by Kampen Road, on the west by the railroad tracks, and on the south by Prairie Lane. See Goose Pond map.
activities or access to some of our lands may be prohibited or restricted seasonally:
Otsego Marsh:
Canoeing and kayaking on Hawkos Pond is only permitted between May 1 and August 31 each year.
Hunting occurs on lands that border Otsego Marsh, so all access to the property is closed for the period from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to January 1 each year.
Erstad Prairie and Hillside Prairie: when public hunting is open during regulated Wisconsin DNR seasons, all visitors are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange for visibility.
All other sanctuary lands: wearing blaze orange during deer hunting season in November and December is recommended.
Public access for some locations is allowed by permission only:
Entrance to residential areas must be arranged with Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.
Hope Lake Bog (in order to protect the sensitive plant community of the bog): contact volunteer sanctuary managers David Musolf and Roger Packard.
Cooperatively managed lands at Faville Grove Sanctuary (see Faville Grove map): contact volunteer sanctuary managers David Musolf and Roger Packard for further information.
Fair Meadows Sanctuary: public access is allowed during SoWBA events and field trips, including community birding days (advance registration is required for these events). Planned visits outside of these opportunities may be arranged by contacting sanctuary managers Penny and Gary Shackelford at fairmeadows@swibirds.org.
Header image: prairie at Faville Grove Sanctuary (SoWBA photo).
